Flymia

This is a hard one. First because flying in the day of is something I just won't do. I always give myself at least 24-hours for any cruise or at least 12-14 hours for a "big trip" connection. For example I went to Hawaii this year, connected in LA and took an overnight connecting giving me time for long delays or even a cancellation. Did not want to risk missing just one day. My flight to LAX was delayed almost 2-hours too. 

So on this one I want to lean MCO. DCA is not a hub for Southwest, given your arrival time that plane is likely arriving into DCA the night before and resting overnight in DCA. Meaning there is more time to get a delay either noticed or resolved with re-booking. And Southwest has a hub in BWI that could maybe work for you. 

For MLB It being a morning flight gives you a better chance of less issues, though it is not early enough that it would likely not be the first flight of the day for that airplane. The plane is likely coming in from an outstation into DCA and then over to MLB. AA might not allow a re-booking to MCO as well. 

I don't think Southwest has agreements with other airlines to put customers on other flights. But Orlando is a big station for them. 

Ultimately a delay on either is going to hurt, because with MCO has a 45-min drive, and MLB is a later arrival time. Really not sure which airline might seem the most reliable. The AA flight is a regional partner so keep that in mind. Given that is would be less reliable. Especially on December 24th as the regional airlines have an even bigger pilot shortage issue. 

If you must fly in the day of, even though MCO has the drive, I like my chances with a morning flight out of DCA to a large station with a plane that is likely scheduled to arrive in DCA the night before on a mainline carrier. 

Cab would be very expensive. Not sure how much Larry Limo is, but rideshare is very easy in MIA. 

Port Miami is in the middle of the central business district/financial district. There are endless choices, and adding the airport hundreds of hotels. 

The most popular hotel and one I would recommend the most with decent price but great location is Hampton Inn Brickell. 

On 9/20/2022 at 9:40 AM, rucruisn2 said:

Miami to Ft. Lauderdale is not a 45 minute drive, much shorter, depending on traffic.  I would stay in Ft. Lauderdale near the port, some very nice hotels there. Then only 5 minutes to the port.

30 mins if no traffic. 45-60 with traffic and over 75mins in evening rush. 

Regardless rideshare is the way to go. Should be under $50.00 for a regular car. 

The main difference is MIA is a little bit further, but still an easy drive. While MIA is a bigger airport, FLL is a very busy airport as well, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 

I would do Noon. 10:15 you need everything to go perfect, including customs clearing the ship on time. 

As a local I can give input on location. It is decent location, not exactly what I would suggest for someone to stay, but nothing wrong with it. It is right near Merrick Park which is a very nice area for dinner one evening. You'll need to Uber or walk over to the Metrorail to do anything else. Metrorail to Downtown/Brickell and Uber to Miami Beach or just about anywhere else. Other than Merrick Park it is not a walkable area. 

There are not many and not worth looking at only those options. Pick either an airport hotel that is close to the airport for an easy ride from the airport, or a hotel in Downtown Miami or Brickell or an easy ride to the Port. Whichever, is more important. Uber/Lyft is the way to go IMO. 

Just park at the port. $22.00 a day to park in Miami is not a bad deal. It is so much easier than dealing with unreliable bus or vans before and after your cruise to save $5-$12 a day. Look at the savings not the expense. It is not much. 

3 hours ago, altarr said:

Stop. Nobody, especially with precheck, needs to arrive any more than 1 hour from departure. 

 

That said, op should rent a car and stick to the major companies (not priceline) direct booking. 

Ok, so I say 90-mins and you say 60-mins. Which just makes the cutoff for checking in bags (30/45 mins before departure) and if they don't have pre-check looking at barely making it to the flight if there is a line at security. 90-mins is the minimum I would do, especially with checked bags. 

On 9/10/2022 at 12:47 PM, Luvmypups said:

Do you recall the price. We are looking to Uber from FLL to the Miami port and looks to be about $100. Does that sound right?

For an SUV that sounds right. Might be a bit lower. For example I just looked at Uber and it shows $75.00 for an Uber XL. 

If you are more than 3 people your savings for a shuttle compared to just using Uber Lyft are minimal IMO. Take into consideration the time spent on a non-direct trip with a shuttle compared to just hoping in a car and going on your way direct. 

On 9/10/2022 at 6:09 PM, Corby114 said:

By the way, what ship leaves from the Port of Palm Beach. If it's the old Carnival ship that now sailing  as the Margaritaville I would definitely pass on that. The United States Coast Guard had some serious issues with that ships seaworthiness recently.

That is the only ship I am aware of. And I agree, that is a classic booze cruise type experience. Better off booking a 3-night out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. 

South Florida is a tropical climate. So you have it right. The weather forecast from June-October almost always shows a chance of rain. In fact it has rained less this year than usual. 

The seasonable weather pattern this time of year, is warm mornings but dry and sunny, with increasing heat and clouds through he day with a thunderstorm or two in the afternoon. The further east you are, typically means lease rain and more sun. But that depends on which way the winds are moving that day. 

4/5 days out it is impossible to know the weather that far in advance and that is just a guess. I have seen weather reports show 100% rain one day before and it never rained on the actual day. So take it for what it is worth so far out. 

Rain and clouds all day this time of year is not typical unless a storm system or front is coming through. 

On 9/10/2022 at 12:31 PM, Corby114 said:

Could try a short flight from either MIA or FLL to MCO. Grab a shuttle or rent a vehicle for the minimum twenty four hour time period from NCO to Port Canaveral.

No way. Talking about 90-mins pre-arrival (TSA Check in boarding) 10-15 mins of taxing on a good day 30min in the air, and 30-45 mins post-arrival. To then grab a car. 2.5 hours to deal with the risk of a delay or cancellation for a 3.5 hour drive. And that 2.5 hours does not even include the 45-mins from Orlando to the Port. 

On 9/10/2022 at 10:15 AM, Rothko1 said:

I think it is very "doable".   I wonder though if it is better to take the Turnpike up rather than I-95, through South Florida.  Switch over to I-95 in Fort Pierce or Vero and then take I-95 the rest of the way up.

 

I-95 has more lanes (and the Express Lanes now for a good deal of the way), but Turnpike might be less traffic?

That is for Google maps to determine. It is going to be one of the two, and I would just pick whichever the GPS with live traffic says is best. 

There is no reason to be looking for shuttles. The city is rather small geographically. Stay in Downtown Miami or Brickell and have an easy Uber/Lyft drive the next morning. Worrying about shuttles will limit your search way too much. 

Hampton Inn Brickell is very popular choice. 

For Mexican in Miami Beach this is the best choice IMO: Tequiztlan Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar. 

So Miami Beach is not that far from Port Miami. Most people cruising the next day will stay in a hotel in Downtown Miami or Brickell, or at least that is what I suggest. 

For you, if you want a beach, which seems like a good idea with 2-days, then Miami Beach it is. The amount of hotels is endless and price ranges vary. The beaches are all public, so anything close to the beach provides access. There are larger hotels right direct access to the public beaches and pools. 

The amount of hotels is large, and hard to suggest one without a price range. If you want to walk around and not rely on rideshare, stay on Collins Ave between 24th or lower. 

On 9/8/2022 at 11:26 PM, nhraformula00 said:

Google search says 21 miles and 26 min.

Yea, at 11:30 p.m. sure. 

Average time in the day is closer to 40-mins, and over 60-75mins in evening rush. 

10 hours ago, huntr104 said:

Thank you.  Yes I did google it first and it said like 2 hours and change. 😄  That's why I asked in here because it didn't make sense.  We're staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Brickell.

Depends on the time of day. I would suggest leaving a little later in the morning. I would expect on a weekday 30-40mins, weekend maybe a bit shorter. Car is the best way. You could also look at taking Brightline from Downtown Miami to Fort Lauderdale and Uber from there. Likely take longer, but more comfortable than an Uber and something different. 

Hampton Brickell is a superior location. Great location for an evening in Miami. HIGHLY recommend. 

2 hours ago, Ashland said:

Interested in this hotel also. What casual restaurants are very near by?

. 

Anything you want. This hotel is right in the smack middle of Miami's most dense area. The list is endless. 

1 hour ago, Suncitycruiser1925 said:

What is free The People Mover mentioned near Hampton Inn on Brickel?  Thanks.

It is a free automated train system that you can take around Miami's central business district (Downtown and Brickell). It is very easy to use and great way to get around that area of the city. 

Take shuttles off the list. Miami is a fairly small city geographically. You can easily and cheaply Uber. 

Pick any of the many hotels in Downtown Miami or Brickell area to enjoy the city for the evening. And then take a 10-min $10-$15 uber to the port. Popular hotels are Intercontinental, JW Marriot, JW Marriot Marquis, EAST Miami. All easy drives from the airport and to the port. 

To be clear, Port Miami is right in the middle of the city, so anything in Downtown Miami or Brickell will make an easy transfer to the port. 

You should be fine if you get off the ship early. The drive can easily be done in 3-hours so long as you are not afraid to keep up with traffic. Much of the drive flow of traffic will be going 80 mph+. 

Off the ship at 7:30 (self luggage) In a rental car by 9:00 a.m. (it should be quicker) and then a 3-3.5 hour drive to Port Canaveral. Use google maps to avoid any accidents. 

No idea regarding car rentals in Port Canaveral. Just need to chose an agency that has rentals in both Downtown Miami/Port Miami and Port Canaveral. 

Stay off Ocean Drive! The better places tend to be South of 5th street and West of Washington Ave. Much more local. 

1. Stubborn Seed (Michelin Star) But not formal, can be fairly casual, but not cheap. 

2. Macchialina, good Italian food. 

3. Yardbird (Southern food) 

4. If you want Cuban Havana 1957 tends to be good. I would prefer the one on Espanola Way over Lincoln Road. 

5. Seafood, Prime Fish is a good spot. 

You would want reservations for any of the above. 

It really does not make a huge difference. Miami and Fort Lauderdale to most people are the same city. 20-miles apart. Personally, going into Miami straight from the Airport seems easier to me. You could stay somewhere close to the port in Downtown or Brickell and make it very easy the day of the cruise. 

Without looking at reviews its an easy decisions. Croydon if you #1 concern is going to the beach. Hampton Inn if you want to walk around shop/eat and be a bit closer to the port. Croydon you'll need to hope in an Uber/Lyft to head to the more walkable areas of town. 

They are about a 1/3 of a mile apart from each other. Hyatt is very new, but Hampton Brickelll is by far the most recommended hotel on cruisecritic. You'll be good with either. I guess technically the Hampton in a slightly better location for walking to places to eat. But really they are in the same area. Chose the better price or the one you like the reviews for more.